Seriti Resources, a South African coal mining company, is building the country’s largest wind farm through its subsidiary Seriti Green at an estimated cost of 4 billion rand ($236 million).
The 155 MW wind farm will be located in Mpumalanga and begin operating in 2025, with the electricity generated being used to power the nearby coal mines.
The wind farm will generate about 75% of the electricity needed to power the coal mines and is estimated to be 40% cheaper than buying electricity from state power utility Eskom.
It will also ensure security of energy supply given that Eskom is struggling to meet demand.
The project is part of a larger 900 MW renewable energy project, which will consist of 750 MW of wind energy and 150 MW of solar energy, at Ummbila Emoyeni, a planned renewable energy cluster located between Bethal and Morgenzon in Mpumalanga.
The wind farm is a step towards fulfilling the commitments made in an MoU signed between Seriti, Exxaro, and Eskom to lower their carbon footprint through renewable energy projects.
Both Seriti and Exxaro aim to reduce their emissions by the end of the decade.
Sources: RENEW ECONOMY, MINING.COM
Image Source: Seriti’s New Vaal Colliery